U.S. patent number 5,353,857 [Application Number 08/139,976] was granted by the patent office on 1994-10-11 for bracket and headrail combination for a blind.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Hunter Douglas, Inc.. Invention is credited to Richard N. Anderson.
United States Patent |
5,353,857 |
Anderson |
October 11, 1994 |
Bracket and headrail combination for a blind
Abstract
This invention relates to a bracket and headrail combination for
supporting a venetian blind in a window opening. The bracket of the
combination can be mounted to a vertical or horizontal surface
adjacent to the window opening, and is substantially hidden from
view when the headrail is installed. The bracket configuration
inhibits longitudinal sliding of the headrail, and accommodates
misalignment between brackets while still allowing for successful
headrail installation.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Richard N.
(Whitesville, KY) |
Assignee: |
Hunter Douglas, Inc. (Upper
Saddle River, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
25318421 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/139,976 |
Filed: |
October 20, 1993 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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854341 |
Mar 18, 1992 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/178.1R;
160/902; 248/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
9/323 (20130101); Y10S 160/902 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
9/28 (20060101); E06B 9/323 (20060101); E06B
009/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;160/178.1,176.1,168.1,902
;248/221.3,221.4,251,252,254,262,264 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Purol; David M.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is a continuation of copending, commonly-assigned
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/854,341, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is;
1. A bracket for supporting a headrail and a blind in a window
opening, said bracket comprising:
a rear body portion, said rear body portion having longitudinally
extending top and bottom edges;
a top body portion extending horizontally from said top edge of
said rear body portion;
mounting means associated with at least one of said body portions
for mounting said bracket to said window opening;
support means for restricting said headrail from downward
movement;
restraining means for restricting movement of said headrail
horizontally toward or away from said rear body portion;
a restraining barb associated with said support means for engaging
said headrail at a point, said restraining barb being substantially
triangular in shape and ending in a point;
spring means for engaging said headrail and for urging said
headrail into said restraining barb, said spring means and said
restraining barb creating friction restricting said headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
2. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises a
pair of spring arms extending downwardly at an angle from a rear
edge of said top body portion in a direction away from said rear
body portion, said spring arms disposed oppositely on said top body
portion of said bracket, said spring arms ending in restraining
lips for engaging said headrail and for urging said headrail
downwardly.
3. The bracket of claim 1 wherein said spring means comprises a
single spring arm extending downwardly at an angle from a rear edge
of said top body portion in a direction away from said rear body
portion, said spring arm disposed on a side of said top body
portion of said bracket, said spring arm ending in a restraining
lip for engaging said headrail and for urging said headrail
downwardly.
4. A bracket for supporting a headrail and a blind in a window
opening, said bracket comprising:
a rear body portion, said rear body portion having longitudinally
extending top and bottom edges;
a top body portion extending horizontally from said top edge of
said rear body portion;
mounting means associated with at least one of said body portion
for mounting said bracket to said window opening;
rear support means associated with said rear body portion for
engaging a first headrail surface adjacent to said rear body
portion and for restricting said headrail from downward
movement;
front support means associated with said top body portion for
engaging a second headrail surface adjacent to said top body
portion and for restricting said headrail from downward
movement;
restraining means for restricting movement of said headrail
horizontally toward or away from said rear body portion;
a restraining barb associated with one of said support means for
engaging said headrail at a point, said restraining barb being
substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb extending upwardly from one of said support
mean;
spring means for engaging said headrail and for urging said
headrail into said restraining barb, said spring means and said
restraining barb creating friction restricting said headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
5. The bracket of claim 4 wherein said rear support means comprises
a ledge extending horizontally from said bottom edge of said rear
body portion in the same direction as said top body portion, said
ledge supporting said headrail.
6. The bracket of claim 4 wherein
said rear support means comprises a rear bracket lip extending
vertically upward from a bottom ledge of said rear body portion,
said bottom ledge extending horizontally from said bottom edge of
said rear body portion in the same direction as said top body
portion, said rear bracket lip engaging said first headrail surface
from below, said rear bracket lip restricting said first headrail
surface from downward movement;
said restraining means comprises a channel formed by said rear body
portion, said bottom ledge and said rear bracket lip, a lip of said
headrail extending downwardly into said channel and said channel
restricting said lip and said headrail from movement horizontally
toward or away from said rear body portion;
said front support means comprises said restraining barb, said
restraining barb supporting said second headrail surface from
downward movement.
7. The bracket of claim 4 wherein
said front support means comprises said restraining barb, said
restraining barb extending vertically upward from a front edge of
said top body portion, said restraining barb supporting said second
headrail surface from downward movement;
said restraining means comprises said restraining barb, said
restraining barb extending vertically upward into a channel formed
in said headrail, said restraining barb restricting said channel
and said headrail from horizontal movement toward or away from said
rear body portion.
8. A bracket and headrail combination for mounting in a window
opening and for supporting a blind in said window opening,
comprising:
a headrail having a main horizontal wall, said main horizontal wall
having longitudinally extending front and rear edges, said headrail
having front and rear walls extending vertically from said front
and rear edges of said main horizontal wall, said front and rear
walls having top and bottom edges, said rear wall having a rear
headrail lip extending horizontally toward said front wall, said
front wall having a front headrail lip extending horizontally
towards said rear wall, said front headrail lip located at a
vertical position above said rear headrail lip;
hook means associated with said headrail;
a bracket having a rear plate, said rear plate having
longitudinally extending top and bottom edges, said bracket having
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said bracket having means associated with at least one of
said plates for mounting to said window opening, said top plate
having a front bracket lip extending horizontally from a front edge
of said top plate;
rear support means associated with said rear plate for supporting
said rear wall of said headrail;
front support means associated with said top plate for supporting
said front wall of said headrail;
restraining means associated with said bracket for engaging said
hook means for restricting movement of said headrail horizontally
toward or away from said rear plate;
a restraining barb associated with said rear support means for
engaging said headrail at a point, said restraining barb being
substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb extending upwardly from said rear support
means;
spring means associated with said top plate for engaging said rear
headrail lip and urging said rear wall and said headrail downwards
into said restraining barb associated with said rear support means,
while said front support means support said front wall of said
headrail and said rear support means supports said rear wall, said
front support means and said rear support means restricting said
headrail from downward motion, said spring means and said
restraining barb creating friction restricting headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
9. A bracket for supporting a headrail and a blind in a window
opening, said headrail being substantially U-shaped, said headrail
having vertically standing front and rear walls, said front and
rear walls having inwardly rolled upper edges, said bracket
comprising:
a rear plate, said rear plate having longitudinally extending top
and bottom edges;
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said top plate having a ramp portion extending downwardly at
an angle from a front edge of said top plate, said top plate having
a front bracket lip extending horizontally from a front edge of
said ramp portion, said top plate having a rear edge;
mounting means associated with at least one of said plates for
mounting said bracket to said window opening;
rear support means associated with said rear plate for supporting
said rear wall of said headrail;
front support means associated with said top plate for supporting
said front wall of said headrail;
rearward motion restraining means for restricting motion of said
headrail horizontally toward said rear plate of said bracket;
forward motion restraining means for restricting motion of said
headrail horizontally away from said rear plate of said
bracket;
a restraining barb associated with one of said support means for
engaging said headrail at a point, said restraining barb being
substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb extending upwardly from one of said support
means;
spring means associated with said top plate for urging one of said
vertically standing walls and said headrail downward into said
restraining barb associated with one of said support means by
engaging an outer surface of said inwardly rolled upper edge of
said vertically standing wall while said front support means
supports said front wall and said rear support means supports said
rear wall, said front and rear support means restricting said
headrail from downward motion caused by said spring means, said
spring means and said restraining barb creating friction
restricting headrail from lateral movement in said bracket.
10. A bracket and headrail combination for mounting in a window
opening and for supporting a blind in said window opening,
comprising:
a headrail having a bottom wall, said bottom wall having
longitudinally extending front and rear edges, said headrail having
a front and rear wall vertically standing from said front and rear
edges of said bottom wall, said front and rear walls having top and
bottom edges, said headrail having support lips extending
horizontally inwardly from said top edges of said front and rear
walls;
hook means associated with said headrail;
a bracket having a rear plate, said rear plate having
longitudinally extending top and bottom edges, said bracket having
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said bracket having means associated with each of said
plates for mounting to said window opening, said top plate having
front and rear edges, said top plate having a ramp portion
extending downwardly at an angle from said front edges of said top
plate, said ramp portion having a front edge, said bracket having a
front bracket lip extending horizontally from said front edge of
said ramp portion;
rear support means associated with said bracket for supporting said
rear wall of said headrail;
front support means associated with said bracket for supporting
said front wall of said headrail;
rearward motion restraining means for restricting motion of said
headrail horizontally toward said rear plate of said bracket;
forward motion restraining means for restricting motion of said
headrail horizontally away from said rear plate of said
bracket;
a restraining barb associated with one of said support means for
engaging said headrail at a point, said restraining barb
substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb extending upwardly from one of said support
means;
spring means associated with said top plate for urging one of said
vertically standing walls and said headrail downward into said
restraining barb associated with one of said support means by
engaging an outer surface of said support lip of said vertically
standing wall while said front support means supports said front
wall and said rear support means supports said rear wall, said
front and rear support means restricting said headrail from
downward motion caused by said spring means, said spring means and
said restraining barb creating friction restricting headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
11. A bracket and headrail combination for mounting in a window
opening and for supporting a blind in said window opening,
comprising:
a headrail having a main horizontal wall, said main horizontal wall
having longitudinally extending front and rear edges, said headrail
having front and rear walls extending vertically from said front
and rear edges of said main horizontal wall, said front and rear
walls having top and bottom edges, said headrail having a
longitudinally extending bottom wall connecting said bottom edges
of said front and rear walls, said rear wall having a rear headrail
lip extending horizontally towards said front wall, said front wall
having a front headrail lip extending horizontally towards said
rear wall, said front headrail lip located at a vertical position
above said rear headrail lip;
hook means associated with said headrail, wherein said hook means
comprises a rear wall lip extending vertically downward from said
bottom edge of said rear wall;
a bracket having a rear plate, said rear plate having
longitudinally extending top and bottom edges, said bracket having
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said bracket having means associated with at least one of
said plates for mounting to said window opening, said top plate
having a front bracket lip extending horizontally from a front edge
of said top plate;
rear support means associated with said bracket for supporting said
rear wall of said headrail, wherein said rear support means
comprises a restraining barb extending upwardly from a bottom ledge
of said rear plate, said bottom ledge extending horizontally from
said bottom edge of said rear plate in the same direction as said
top plate, said restraining barb being substantially triangular in
shape and ending in a point, said restraining barb engaging said
bottom wall of said headrail from below, said restraining barb
restricting said bottom wall and said rear wall from downward
movement;
front support means associated with said bracket for supporting
said front wall of said headrail;
spring means associated with said top plate for engaging said rear
headrail lip and urging said rear wall of said headrail downwards
while said front support means supports said front wall of said
headrail and said restraining barb supports said rear wall, said
front support means and said restraining barb restricting said
headrail from downward motion;
restraining means associated with said bracket for engaging said
hook means for restricting movement of said headrail horizontally
toward or away from said rear plate, wherein said restraining means
comprises a channel formed by said rear plate, said bottom ledge,
and said restraining barb, said rear wall lip extending downwardly
into said channel and said channel restricting said rear wall lip
and said headrail from movement toward or away from said rear
plate;
gripping means associated with said rear plate for engaging said
headrail at a point, wherein said gripping means comprises said
restraining barb, said restraining barb urged into engagement with
said headrail by said spring means, said spring means and said
restraining barb creating friction restricting headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
12. A bracket and headrail combination for mounting in a window
opening and for supporting a blind in said window opening,
comprising:
a headrail having a main horizontal wall, said main horizontal wall
having longitudinally extending front and rear edges, said headrail
having front and rear walls extending vertically from said front
and rear edges of said main horizontal wall, said front and rear
walls having top and bottom edges, said rear wall having a rear
headrail lip extending horizontally towards said front wall, said
front wall having a front headrail lip extending horizontally
towards said rear wall, said front headrail lip located at a
vertical position above said rear headrail lip;
hook means associated with said headrail, wherein said hook means
comprises a substantially hook-shaped rail extending outwardly from
an outer surface of said rear wall of said headrail between said
top and bottom edges of said rear wall, said hook-shaped rail
longitudinally extending along said rear wall, said hook-shaped
rail facing downwards;
a bracket having a rear plate, said rear plate having
longitudinally extending top and bottom edges, said bracket having
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said bracket having means associated with at least one of
said plates for mounting to said window opening, said top plate
having front bracket lip extending horizontally from a front edge
of said top plate;
rear support means associated with said bracket for supporting said
rear wall of said headrail, wherein said rear support means
comprises a restraining barb extending upwardly from a bottom ledge
of said rear plate, said bottom ledge extending horizontally from
said bottom edge of said rear plate in the same direction as said
top plate, said restraining barb being substantially triangular in
shape and ending in a point, said restraining barb engaging said
hook-shaped rail from below, said restraining barb restricting said
hook-shaped rail and said rear wall from downward movement;
front support means associated with said bracket for supporting
said front wall of said headrail;
spring means associated with said top plate for engaging said rear
headrail lip and urging said rear wall of said headrail downwards
while said front support means supports said front wall of said
headrail and said restraining barb supports said rear wall, said
front support means and said restraining barb restricting said
headrail from downward motion;
restraining means associated with said bracket for engaging said
hook means for restricting movement of said headrail horizontally
toward or away from said rear plate, wherein said restraining means
comprises said restraining barb, said restraining barb extending
vertically upwardly into a channel formed by said hook-shaped rail,
said restraining barb restricting said hook-shaped rail and said
headrail from horizontal movement toward or away from said rear
plate;
gripping means associated with said rear plate for engaging said
headrail at a point, wherein said gripping means comprises said
restraining barb, said restraining barb urged into engagement with
said hook-shaped rail by said spring means, said spring means and
said restraining barb creating friction restricting headrail from
lateral movement in said bracket.
13. A bracket for supporting a headrail and a blind in a window
opening, said headrail being substantially U-shaped, said headrail
having vertically standing front and rear walls, said front and
rear walls having inwardly rolled upper edges, said bracket
comprising:
a rear plate, said rear plate having longitudinally extending top
and bottom edges;
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said top plate having a ramp portion extending downwardly at
an angle from a front edge of said top plate, said top plate having
a front bracket lip extending horizontally from a front edge of
said ramp portion, said top plate having a rear edge;
mounting means associated with at least one of said plates for
mounting said bracket to said window opening;
rear support means associated with said rear plate for supporting
said rear wall of said headrail, wherein said rear support means
comprises a restraining barb extending vertically upward from a
front edge of a rear plate ledge, said rear plate ledge extending
horizontally from said bottom edge of said rear plate in the same
direction as said top plate, said restraining barb being
substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb engaging a longitudinally extending bottom wall of
said headrail from below;
front support means associated with said top plate for supporting
said front wall of said headrail, wherein said front support means
comprises said front bracket lip, said front bracket lip supporting
said inwardly rolled upper edge of said front wall from below;
spring means associated with said top plate for urging said rear
wall of said headrail downward, wherein said spring means comprises
a pair of spring arms extending downwardly at an angle from said
front edge of said top plate towards said rear plate, said spring
arms disposed oppositely on said top plate, said spring arms
engaging an outer surface of said inwardly rolled upper edge of
said rear wall while said front bracket lip supports said front
wall and said restraining barb supports said rear wall, said front
bracket lip and restraining barb restricting said headrail from
downward motion caused by said spring means;
rearward motion and forward motion restraining means for
restricting motion of said headrail horizontally toward or away
from said rear plate of said bracket, wherein said rearward motion
and forward motion restraining means comprises a front bracket lip
extension extending upwardly from a front edge of said front
bracket lip into a channel formed by said inwardly rolled upper
edge of said front wall, said front bracket lip extension
restricting horizontal movement of said headrail toward or away
from said rear plate by restricting movement of said channel formed
by said inwardly rolled upper edge of said front wall; and
gripping means for engaging said headrail at a point, wherein said
gripping means comprises said restraining barb, said restraining
barb urged into engagement with said inner surface of said inwardly
rolled upper edge of said front wall by said spring arms, said
spring arms and said restraining barb creating friction restricting
headrail from lateral movement in said bracket.
14. A bracket and headrail combination for mounting in a window
opening and for supporting a blind in said window opening,
comprising:
a headrail having a bottom wall, said bottom wall having
longitudinally extending front and rear edges, said headrail having
a front and rear wall vertically standing from said front and rear
edges of said bottom wall, said front and rear walls having top and
bottom edges, said headrail having support lips extending
horizontally inwardly from said top edges of said front and rear
walls;
hook means associated with said headrail, wherein said hook means
comprises a rear wall lip extending vertically downward from said
bottom edge of said rear wall;
a bracket having a rear plate, said rear plate having
longitudinally extending top and bottom edges, said bracket having
a top plate extending horizontally from said top edge of said rear
plate, said bracket having means associated with each of said
plates for mounting to said window opening, said top plate having
front and rear edges, said top plate having a ramp portion
extending downwardly at an angle from said front edge of said top
plate, said ramp portion having a front edge, said bracket having a
front bracket lip extending horizontally from said front edge of
said ramp portion;
rear support means associated with said bracket for supporting said
rear wall of said headrail, wherein said rear support means
comprises a restraining barb extending vertically upward from a
front edge of said rear plate ledge, said rear plate ledge
extending horizontally from said bottom edge of a rear plate ledge
in the same direction as said top plate, said restraining barb
being substantially triangular in shape and ending in a point, said
restraining barb engaging said bottom wall of said headrail from
below;
front support means associated with said bracket for supporting
said front wall of said headrail, wherein said front support means
comprises said front bracket lip, said front bracket lip supporting
said support lip of said front wall from below;
spring means associated with said top plate for urging said rear
wall of said headrail downward, wherein said spring means comprises
a pair of spring arms extending downwardly at an angle from said
front edge of said top plate towards said rear plate, said spring
arms disposed oppositely on said top plate, said spring arms
engaging an outer surface of said support lip of said rear wall
while said front bracket lip supports said front wall and said
restraining barb supports said rear wall, said front bracket lip
and said restraining barb restricting said headrail from downward
motion caused by said spring means;
rearward motion and forward motion restraining means for
restricting motion of said headrail horizontally toward or away
from said rear plate of said bracket, wherein said rearward motion
and forward motion restraining means comprises a channel formed by
said rear plate, said bottom ledge and said restraining barb, said
rear wall lip extending downwardly into said channel and said
channel restricting said rear wall lip and said headrail from
horizontally movement toward or away from said rear plate;
gripping means for engaging said headrail at a point, wherein said
gripping means comprises said restraining barb, said restraining
barb urged into engagement with said bottom wall of said headrail
by said spring arms, said spring arms and said restraining barb
creating friction restricting headrail from lateral movement in
said bracket.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Venetian blinds are typically mounted to the face of a window, or
to a header adjacent to a window, by bracket and headrail
combinations. Many types of bracket and headrail combinations have
been developed for mounting venetian blinds in window openings.
Early brackets were generally cup-shaped and intended to slide over
the ends of the headrail. These brackets had several drawbacks. The
first related to their unsightly appearance. Since the brackets
slid over the ends of the headrail, there was an interruption of
the smooth appearance of the headrail. In addition, since the
brackets were visible, the brackets had to coordinate with the
color of the headrail, necessitating manufacturing and inventorying
of brackets of many colors. Often, the sides of the brackets were
also visible, revealing unsightly screws used to mount the headrail
to the brackets.
Later brackets have overcome these drawbacks. Later brackets are
generally mounted inwardly from the ends of the headrail and as a
result are less visible than cup-shaped brackets. These brackets,
however, have their own drawbacks. Some of these brackets are
intended to mount to a vertical surface, or to a horizontal
surface, but not both, and hence, are not of universal mounting
capability. Other brackets consist of multiple pieces. Both
drawbacks require manufacture and inventorying of multiple pieces.
Other brackets, while avoiding these difficulties, are subject to
tight installation tolerances and allow for only relatively small
misalignments between the brackets. Still other brackets allow for
lateral movement of the headrail within the bracket.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket and headrail combination
which can be easily manufactured.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket and headrail combination
where the headrail can be easily installed and removed without the
need for tools.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket and headrail combination
where the bracket is substantially hidden from view, providing a
clean and continuous appearance for the headrail.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket and headrail combination
where the bracket can be mounted either to a vertical or to a
horizontal surface, and where the bracket is in one piece.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket and headrail combination
which allows for relatively greater misalignment between the
brackets, allowing for greater ease in installation.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket in which a conventional
headrail can be easily installed and removed without the need for
tools.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket for mounting a
conventional headrail where the bracket is substantially hidden
from view, providing a clean and continuous appearance for the
headrail.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket for mounting a
conventional headrail where the bracket can be mounted either to a
vertical or to a horizontal surface, and where the bracket is in
one piece.
It would be desirable to provide a bracket for mounting a
conventional headrail which allows for relatively greater
misalignment between the brackets, allowing for greater ease in
installation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a
bracket and headrail combination which can be easily
manufactured.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket and
headrail combination where the headrail can be easily installed in
and removed from the bracket without the need for tools.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket and
headrail combination where the bracket is substantially hidden from
view when the headrail is installed, providing a clean and
continuous appearance for the headrail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket and
headrail combination where the bracket can be mounted either to a
vertical or to a horizontal surface, and where the bracket is in
one piece, thereby reducing inventory requirements.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket and
headrail combination which allows for relatively greater
misalignment between the brackets, thereby easing installation of
the brackets and headrail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket in
which a conventional headrail can be easily installed and removed
without the need for tools.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for
mounting a conventional headrail where the bracket is substantially
hidden from view, providing a clean and continuous appearance for
the headrail.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for
mounting a conventional headrail where the bracket can be mounted
either to a vertical or to a horizontal surface, and where the
bracket is in one piece.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bracket for
mounting a conventional headrail which allows for relatively
greater misalignment between the brackets, allowing for greater
ease in installation.
These and other objects of this invention are accomplished in a
preferred embodiment chosen for the purpose of illustration only in
which a headrail has a bottom wall with longitudinally extending
front and rear edges, and a front and rear wall extending
vertically upward from the front and rear edges. The top edge of
the rear wall has a rear headrail lip extending horizontally toward
the front wall, and the top edge of the front wall has a front
headrail lip extending horizontally toward the rear wall. The front
headrail lip is located at a vertical position above the rear
headrail lip. Located on the outside surface of the rear wall is a
longitudinally extending hook rail.
The bracket comprises a rear plate and a top plate, each plate
having means for connection to an adjacent wall surface. The rear
plate has a bottom ledge extending horizontally from the bottom
edge of the rear plate in the same direction as the top plate. A
restraining barb extends vertically upwardly from the bottom
ledge.
The top plate has a ramp portion extending downwardly at an angle
from the front edge of the top plate. Extending horizontally from
the front edge of the ramp portion is a front bracket lip, which
supports the front headrail lip from below. Extending downwardly at
angle from the front edge of the top plate towards the rear plate
are a pair of spring arms ending in restraining lips.
Installation of the headrail is initiated after at least two
brackets have been attached to a suitable surface. The front
headrail lip is first slipped over the front bracket lips of each
bracket. The headrail is then urged upward at an angle into each
bracket, causing the restraining lips of the spring arms of each
bracket to engage the rear headrail lip. After the hook rail has
passed over the restraining barb, release of the headrail allows
the spring arms to force the rear headrail lip and rear wall
downwardly, forcing the hook rail into locking engagement with the
restraining barb. When the headrail is locked in position, the
restraining barb supports the rear wall, and the front bracket lip
supports the front wall. The restraining barb and hook rail also
prevent any movement towards or away from the rear plate by the
headrail when the headrail is installed.
Several features of the invention are associated with other
functions of the restraining barb. The restraining barb prevents
any longitudinal sliding of the headrail while the headrail is
locked in the bracket. The restraining barb also allows for greater
angular misalignment between mounting brackets than other mounting
arrangements since the restraining barb contacts the hook rail at a
single point and not along an edge.
In an alternate embodiment the bracket of the invention is used for
mounting a conventional headrail and associated blind to a window
opening.
In another alternate embodiment the bracket of the invention is
used with a headrail of simplified configuration similar to the
headrail of the preferred embodiment.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and advantages of this invention will
be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout,
and in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view from the front of a headrail showing a
headrail and bracket combination in accordance with this invention
supporting a venetian blind in a window opening;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the headrail of FIG. 1 taken
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 1 taken
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket in accordance with this
invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a headrail being pivoted into
position in a bracket;
PIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view view of a headrail locked into
fixed alignment with a bracket;
FIG. 7 is a view of an alternate embodiment of this invention
showing a bracket in end elevation;
FIG. 8 is a view of an alternate embodiment of this invention
showing a bracket in perspective;
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of this
invention showing a headrail installed in a bracket;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of
this invention showing a headrail installed in a bracket;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of
this invention showing a headrail of simpler configuration mounted
in a bracket; and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of
this invention showing a headrail of standard profile mounted in a
bracket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of the invention adapted for installation in
a window opening is illustrated in FIG. 1. The headrail 20 of a
venetian blind has been mounted in a window opening 10 by a pair of
brackets 40. The brackets 40 have been mounted to a vertical wall
surface 11 adjacent to the window opening 10.
The features of the individual components of the invention are
shown in FIGS. 2-4. FIG. 2 shows the headrail 20 of FIG. 1 in cross
section. A rear wall 21 of headrail 20 has a rear headrail lip 22
extending horizontally and inwardly from the top edge 23 of the
rear wall 21 towards a front wall 24. The front wall 24 has a front
headrail lip 25 extending horizontally and inwardly towards the
rear headrail lip 22 of the rear wall 21. The front headrail lip 25
is located at a vertical position above the rear headrail lip 22.
The headrail 20 also has a longitudinally extending hook rail 26
located on the outer surface 27 of the rear wall 21.
The bracket 40 of FIG. 1 is shown in end elevation in FIG. 3. One
bracket is shown for ease of description, although at least two
brackets are required for installation. Each bracket of the
preferred embodiment is identical, and the headrail is mounted in
each bracket in the same fashion. The bracket may be constructed
from any material familiar to those skilled in the art which has
both rigid and spring-like characteristics. In the end elevation
view of FIG. 3 the bracket 40 has a top plate 41 and a rear plate
42. The top plate 41 has a ramp portion 43 extending downwardly and
at an angle away from the front edge 44 of the top plate 41. The
ramp portion 43 has a front edge 45, and extending horizontally and
outwardly from the front edge 45 of the ramp portion 43 is the
front bracket lip 46. As shown in the perspective view of FIG. 4
the top plate 41 also has a pair of spring arms 47 extending
downwardly and rearwardly from the front edge 44 of the top plate
41 towards the rear plate 42. Each spring arm 47 terminates in a
restraining lip 48. The rear plate 42 has a bottom ledge 49
extending outwardly from the bottom edge 50 of the rear plate 42.
Extending upwardly from the bottom ledge 49 of the rear plate 42 is
a restraining barb 51. As shown, the restraining barb 51 is
triangular in shape and ends in a sharp point. Screw holes 52 are
visible in the top plate 41 and rear plate 42 for mounting. Two
screw holes 52 in the rear plate 42 are required for mounting to a
vertical surface, while a single screw hole 52 in the top plate 41
is required for mounting to a horizontal surface.
A feature of this invention, ease of installation of the headrail
20, is shown in FIG. 5. After the brackets have been mounted in a
window opening, the front headrail lip 25 is slipped over the top
of the front bracket lip 46 of each bracket. In FIG. 5 a single
bracket is shown for ease of illustration. The headrail 20 is
locked into fixed alignment with each bracket by urging the
headrail 20 up at an angle toward the corner 53 formed by the
intersection of the rear plate 42 and the top plate 41. This forces
the rear headrail lip 22 up into contact with the restraining lips
48 of the spring arms 47, and also allows the hook rail 26 to pass
over the restraining barb 51. As shown in FIG. 6, upon release of
the headrail the recoil of the spring arms 47 forces the rear
headrail lip 22 and rear wall 21 downwards, thereby allowing the
hook rail 26 to engage the restraining barb 51.
Although the spring arms 47 and restraining barb 51 are shown
operating in a vertical plane, in a different bracket configuration
the spring arms and restraining barb may operate in a horizontal
plane. In this configuration the spring arms and restraining barb
would also restrict movement of the headrail 20 toward or away from
the rear plate 42 of the bracket 40.
Each step of the headrail installation is accomplished without the
need for tools. To remove the headrail 20, the steps are reversed.
The headrail 20 is urged upward and at an angle towards the corner
53 in the bracket 40 until the hook rail 26 passes over the
restraining barb 51. When the hook rail 26 clears the restraining
barb 51, the headrail 20 can be pulled away from the bracket
40.
When installed as shown in FIG. 6, the headrail 20 is restrained
from any downward movement by the restraining barb 51, which
supports the hook rail 26 and rear wall 21, and by the front
bracket lip 46, which supports the front headrail lip 25 and front
wall 24. The combined action of the hook rail 26 and the
restraining barb 51 prevent any movement by the headrail 20
horizontally either toward or away from the rear plate 42 of the
bracket 40. The restraining barb 51 and spring arms 47 also provide
another feature of the invention. Since the spring arms 47 cause
the restraining barb 51 to grippingly engage the hook rail 26,
longitudinal sliding of the headrail 20 in the bracket 40 is
prevented.
The single contact point of the restraining barb 51 provides an
additional feature of the invention. If all gripping surfaces in
brackets are of substantial longitudinal extent, the brackets will
allow for little or no misalignment in their installation. In other
words, each bracket will have to be mounted at the same vertical
height and exactly level in order for the headrail to be
successfully installed. Reduction of one gripping edge to a
restraining barb 51 as in this invention allows for successful
headrail installation with somewhat greater misalignment between
brackets. This misalignment may be caused by irregularities in the
architectural surface to which the bracket is mounted, and may be
unavoidable without substantial alteration of the surface.
Examination of the end elevation view of FIG. 6 also demonstrates
another feature of the invention, the reduced visibility of the
bracket 40. Assuming a viewing position from the front of the
headrail 20, only the ramp portion 43 of the top plate 41 is
visible. No portion of the rear plate 42 is apparent.
An alternate embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIG. 7,
which shows a different bracket configuration. In the end elevation
view of bracket 40a the top plate 41 and rear plate 42 are visible.
As in the preferred embodiment the top plate 41 has a ramp portion
43 extending downwardly at an angle away from the front edge 44 of
the top plate 41. The ramp portion 43 has a front edge 45, and
extending horizontally and outwardly from the front edge 45 of the
ramp portion 43 is the front bracket lip 46. As shown in the
perspective view of FIG. 8, the bracket 40a of the alternate
embodiment has a single spring arm 47a instead of a pair, as in the
preferred embodiment. The single spring arm 47a of the alternate
embodiment extends downwardly and rearwardly towards the rear plate
42. The spring arm 47a of the alternate embodiment is adapted to
mount the headrail 20 in similar fashion as the preferred
embodiment.
Another variation of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in
FIG. 9, which shows a bracket and headrail combination with a
different hook arrangement. Here the headrail 20b has a rear wall
lip 28 extending downwardly from the rear wall 21 of headrail 20b.
The headrail 20b is installed by urging the headrail upward and at
an angle toward the corner 53 in the bracket 40 until the rear wall
lip 28 clears the restraining barb 51, at which point release of
the headrail 20b allows the spring arms 47 to force the headrail
20b into engagement with the bracket 40. The rear plate 42, bottom
ledge 49 and restraining barb 51 form a channel into which the rear
wall lip 28 extends. If the headrail moves horizontally towards or
away from the rear plate 42, this movement will be restricted by
the rear plate 42 operating on the rear wall 21 and the restraining
barb 51 operating on the rear wall lip 28.
In still another variation of the preferred embodiment the
configuration of the spring arms and restraining barb are altered.
FIG. 10 depicts this bracket and headrail combination. In FIG. 10
the spring arms 47c of the bracket 40c extend downward at an angle
from a rear edge 54 of the bracket 40c in a direction away from the
rear plate 42. The restraining barb has been moved to the front
bracket lip 46. The restraining barb 51c extends vertically upward
from a front edge 55 of the front bracket lip 46. The headrail 20c
has also been altered by moving the hook rail to the front headrail
lip 25. This is accomplished by adding a lip extension 29 extending
vertically downward from a front edge 30 of the front headrail lip
25. When the headrail 20c is installed the spring arms 47c engage
the lower headrail lip 31 of the front wall 24. The restraining
barb 51c and the bottom ledge 49 support the front wall 24 and rear
wall 21 of the headrail 20c while the spring arms 47c force the
headrail 20c downwards, thus restricting the headrail 20c from
downward movement. The headrail 20c is restricted from horizontal
movement toward or away from the rear plate 42 of the bracket 40c
by the restraining barb 51c which extends vertically upward into a
channel formed by the lip extension 29, the front bracket lip 25
and the front wall 24. If horizontal movement of the headrail 20c
occurs, the lip extension 29 or the front wall 24 will impinge on
the restraining barb 51c, thereby restricting further movement. As
in the preferred embodiment, the combined effect of the spring arms
47c and the restraining barb 51c create friction restricting
lateral movement of the headrail 20c in the bracket 40c.
In an alternate embodiment the bracket of the invention is used
with a headrail of somewhat simpler configuration. This headrail
and bracket combination is depicted in the cross-sectional view of
FIG. 11. The headrail 20d has a rectangular box-like profile. The
front and rear headrail lips of the preferred embodiment have been
replaced by support lips 32 which extend horizontally inwards from
the top edges of the rear wall 21 and the front wall 24 of the
headrail 20d. When installed the restraining barb 51d supports the
inner surface 33 of the support lip 32 of the front wall 24 and a
longitudinally extending rear bracket lip 56 standing vertically
upward from the bottom ledge 49 of the rear plate 42 supports the
rear wall 21. The rear bracket lip 56, bottom ledge 49 and rear
plate 42 form a channel into which the rear wall lip 28 extends.
This channel restricts movement of the headrail 20d toward or away
from the rear plate 42.
In another alternate embodiment the bracket of this invention can
be used to install a headrail of conventional industry-standard
profile. This embodiment has the same advantages as the preferred
embodiment. As in previous embodiments at least two brackets are
required to mount the headrail in a window opening. In FIG. 12 an
installed headrail 20e of conventional U-shaped profile is depicted
in cross section. Here the front and rear headrail lips of the
preferred embodiment have been replaced by inwardly rolled upper
edges 34 which extend inwardly from the top edges of the front wall
21 and rear wall 24 of the headrail 20e. The bracket supports the
headrail 20e in much the same way as in the preferred embodiment.
The front bracket lip 46 and restraining barb 51 restrict the
headrail from downward movement caused by the spring arms 47. The
headrail 20e is restrained from horizontal movement toward or away
from the rear plate 42 by a front bracket lip extension 57 standing
vertically upward from the front edge 55 of the front bracket lip
46. The front bracket lip extension 57 extends into a channel 58
formed by the inwardly rolled upper edge 34 of the front wall 24.
This front bracket lip extension 57 prevents movement of the
headrail 20e towards or away from the rear plate 42 by restricting
movement of the inner surface 36 of the inwardly rolled upper edge
34.
One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention
can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are
presented for the purposes of illustration and not of limitation,
and the present invention is limited only by the claims that
follow.
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